NSSDCA/COSPAR ID: 1974-013A
Miranda, also known as United Kingdom - X4 (UK-X4) satellite, was a spin-stabilized experimental spacecraft. It was designed to serve as an engineering test bed to check the application of a three-axis integrating gyro system for attitude control and a three-axis rate gyro system for rate control. The satellite was in the form of a box 83.5 cm high, with a square base 66.5 cm on a side. Electrical power to the spacecraft was supplied from batteries and solar panels. When fully deployed the panels measured 250 cm in length. The payload package consisted of: (1) a three-axis propane gas jet system for orbital positioning; (2) a Canopus star sensor to determine reflectivity and interference generated from the propane gas system; (3) an Earth albedo sensor; (4) (radiation) test cells to measure degradation in orbit; and, (5) four infrared detectors to provide eclipse warning for experiment number two.
Launch Date: 1974-03-09
Launch Vehicle: Scout
Launch Site: Vandenberg AFB, United States
Mass: 92 kg
Questions and comments about this spacecraft can be directed to: Coordinated Request and User Support Office
Name | Role | Original Affiliation | |
---|---|---|---|
Mr. Joseph B. Talbot | Project Manager | NASA Langley Research Center | |
Mr. R. Staniforth | Project Manager | Hawker Siddeley Dynamics LTD |